Uganda: Army Recovers Two Smoke Bombs in Mubende Scrap Store

Mubende — The Army on Friday detonated two smoke grenades found in a metal scrap store in Kasambya Town Council&comma; Mubende District in central Uganda&period;

Before the detonation&comma; Paul Kiveyiganga who operates the scrap shop at Katwe Central Village in Kasambya Town Council was hit by falling debris from the store after an explosion&period;

"I heard a loud bang that was followed by sudden flames&period; When I tried to run away&comma; some falling debris from the damaged store hit me&comma;" Kiveyiganga said&period;

Kiveyiganga's neighbour&comma; Ms Jalia Namuyamba&comma; said she heard an explosion which was followed by huge flames and thick smoke from the scrap store&period;

"There after&comma; Kiveyiganga's house was completely destroyed to ashes&comma;" she said&period;

Brig Sunday Dues&comma; the Kabamba Military Academy community liaison officer&comma; said when they combed the rubbles&comma; they recovered two tins of smoke bombs which residents might have picked as scrap from Kabamba shooting grounds&period;

"Among other items that we discovered are the misfired cartridges of ammunitions which were used during training some time back and people could have picked them to get quick money&comma;" Brig Dues said&period;

Ms James Bichasi&comma; an officer attached to the police bomb squad&comma; urged the public to be vigilant and report any strange looking objects to authorities&period;

"I strongly caution scrap dealers against buying any materials brought to them&period; Not everything that looks like a metal is scrap&comma; some items are meant to be handled by only a classified group of people like the police and the army&comma;" he said&period;

Mr Martin Okoyo&comma; the Mubende District police commander&comma; said they have detained Kiveyiganga&comma; who is currently nursing injuries to help them with investigations&period;